The following is a transcription of papers handed down from my grandfather.  Richard Dewitt Gardner was born 1892 in Callands, Pittsylvania County, Virginia.  His parents were Jacob Shelhorse Gardner and Lucy A. Eddy Gardner.  Jacob’s parents were William Finch Gardner and Martha Jane Shelhorse, all of Pittsylvania County.  Lucy Eddy’s parents were Thomas Eddy and Nancy Mason of Franklin County, Virginia.

This transcription is of documents in the possession of my father, Robert Gardner, and is related to Richard Gardner’s service in the Army during the First World War.  He was part of the 305th Engineer Regiment (Company B), 80th Division, 3rd Army.  He was injured during his service on two occaisions, both times a result of inhalation of mustard gas.  According to my grandfather, his first encounter with the gas was due to a faulty gas mask.  He was hospitalized for a short time, then was returned to his unit.  Due to his injury he was assigned as a messenger and driver.  He was driving down a road that was being shelled, so he stopped and jumped into a foxhole or bomb crater to wait out the shelling.  Unfortunately, the bottom of the hole was filled with gas, and as he was still recovering from the previous incident, this time the gas did major damage to his lungs.  He was in a hospital in France for a long time, and did not get home until many months after the War ended.  As a result of his injuries, his heart was badly damaged, which limited him in his activities.  He married Mary Anne Easley, daughter of Edward Thomas Easley and Virginia Belle Beck, of Callands, Pittsylvania County.  They moved to Ashland, Boyd County Kentucky and had four children, of which my father Robert R. Gardner was the youngest.  My grandfather died at the young age of 49, just days before Pearl Harbor in 1941, due to heart failure.  He is buried in Ashland, Ky.

The following papers consist of a roster of the members of Company B of the 305th Engineers, then a page showing the units’ movements after arriving in France in 1918.  The third piece is a 14-page document that was originally bound with two clips at the top of the pages.  I do not know if other copies of this booklet exist.  The pages are in fairly good condition, though one page has a large piece missing.  I attempted to transcribe the pages exactly as they appear, using the same sentence and page breaks, as well as the original spelling.  The last page is a copy of a history of the 80th Division with the source at the bottom.

I wanted to publish this in the Pittsylvania County website, as my grandfather was a native of that county.  The 305th Engineers and the 80th Division were formed at Camp Lee Virginia, and I figured that many of the members of this unit were from Virginia, and perhaps from Pittsylvania.  I hope this is of some use to anyone researching their family.  Any questions or comments may be sent to:

Bob Gardner
e-mail bobbyg@icomnet.com
 

HEADQUARTERS 305TH ENGINEERS
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES.

      France, December 1st, 1918

ROSTER OF SEPARATE ORGANIZATIONS THIS REGIMENT AS OF
   December 1st, 1918

-  -  -  -  -  - -

Regimental Staff

Lieut. Colonel George W. Knight, Commanding Regiment
Captain Robert C. Levis, Regimental Adjutant
Captain Samuel H. Sherrerd, Personnel Adjutant
Captain William A. Smith, Supply Officer

Medical Detachment

Captain Ralph E. Stevens, Regimental Surgeon
Captain William F. Passer, Battalion Surgeon
Captain John W. Murphy, Dental Surgeon
1st Lieut. Luther W. Clark, Chaplain
2nd Lieut. Charles H. Doepel, Veterinary Surgeon

1st Battalion

Major Caleb S. Kenney, Commanding 1st Battalion
Captain Frank L. Weaver, Battalion Adjutant

Company “B”

Captain Charles L. Packard, Commanding
1st Lieut. Francis M. Tompkins
1st Lieut. Einard W. Lebeck
1st Lieut. Arthur N. Allcroft
2nd Lieut. John C. Watkins

1st Sergeant    Sergeants
Herr, Ralph.    Noll, William E.
     Burns, Leo C.
Sergeants 1cl    Latavish, Mike.
Sisk, Martin J.    Conrad, Bernard G.
Dunchack, Andrew   Crape, Donald L.
Gwynn, David J.    McDonald, John E.
Moroney, Vincent E.   Peters, Theodore A.
Settle, Joseph    Rhodes, Scott A.
     Smith, Ahthur G.
Mess Sergeant
Lyons, Herbert P.    Corporals
     Good, Howard W.
Stable Sergeant    Spencer, James A.
Voltz, Charles J.    Anna, Henry M.
     Foster, John H.
Sergeants    Dey, Ralph H.
Bergeron, Francis E.   Eoval, Andrew J.
Parrish/ John L/    Davidson, James V.
Sherwin, Henry.    Romagna, Otto.
Benz, John P.    Gilroy, William H.
Williams, Clair B.   Miles, John M.
 

Company “B”  (contd)

Corporals    Privates 1cl.
Bostick, Garrette H.   Audia, Guiseppe.
Carter, Earl C.    Baker, Joseph R.
Gray, William P.    Baxter, James B.
Walker, Willis A.    Bowyer, George D.
Deilt, Walter A.    Bunn, George W.
Stitz, Michael J.    Buster, Odie F.
Bialkowski, Augustine G.   Butler, Thomas J.
Gibel, John W.    Caves, Jesse J.
Heasley, Lawrence S.   Clements, Thomas G.
Randolph, Richard S.   Crosetti, Cearar.
Wickenhouser, George A.   Cunningham, George W.
Gilday, John R.    Curtis, Robert E.
Mitchell, Michael W.   Dallas, Wilbur C.
Singleton, William R.   Davis, Jacob M.
Stoy, John G.    Deans, Cecil T.
White, Albert G.    Delozier, Peter G.
Tierney, John P.    Deppa, Bert W.
Wyland, Gilbert A.   Dillon, Oliver P.
     Demdrisky, Frank W.
Cooks     Dougherty, Daniel J.
     Edmiston, Samuel H.
Ball, Walter E.    Ehrman, Robert A.
GrAiner, John A.    Elger, Alphonse J.
Ratchford, Thomas F.   English, Charles O.
Vogel, George K.    Evans, Garlad E.
     Fitzgerald, Arthur G.
Horseshoer    Galbreath, John.
Werner, George C.   Gardner, Richard D.
     Gionard, Charles
Saddler     Gulish, Joseph P.
Witt, Samuel H.    Hawkins, George W.
     Hohan, Charles F.
Wagoners    Kraus, Lawrence J.
     Massie, Hume W.
Burke, Morgan S.    Mock, Ralph C.
Byrnes, Edward R.   Morone, Domenick.
Conrad, Raymond.   Morris, Henry.
Dodge, Wilson.    Murray, Edward T.
Reiger, John.    Paxton, Worthy, P.
Wallace, Raymond R.   Pickett, Robert L.
Westover, Roy.    Porter, Donald W.
White, James C.    Rea, Harry J.
     Salvino, Antonio.
Buglers     Sharrow, George.
     Shirey, Charles J.
Edgein, Clair W.    Smith, Charles P.
Lankford, Donnell P.   Smith, James H.

Company “B” (contd)

Privates 1cl.    Privates

Sneddon, John.    Ennis, Robie.
Sofia, Salvatoro.    Ercolani, Giuseppe.
Spelman, John.    Faretta, Michele.
Strang, Daniel G.    Fedorsack, William A.
Taylor, Robert E.    Fitzgerald, Haywood.
Tharp, George E.    Flaherty, John J.
Verodese, Guiseppe.   Fleming, Vernor M.
     Flowers, William O.
Privates     Fouch, Elkahah.
Ambrosotti, Raigero.   Fowler, Charles R.
Ayers, Marion.    Fowler, Leonard H.
Barnett, James E.    Foxio, Peter.
Bash, Charles R.    Frabinio, Gioseppe.
Beeler, Charles H.   Frick, Irwin H.
Bledsoe, Qunit.    Frye, Joseph H.
Born, Ferdinand.    Frye, William H.
Boulanger, Arthur.   Goode, Kemper G.
Bowers, Daniel C.   Harrell, Jessie C.
Boylan, Herbert C.   Hebb, Harry B.
Breeden, Curtis O.   Hirshbergor, Frank J.
Brooks, Walter G.   Johnson, Carl J.
Bryant, Gurney.    Jones, Arthur S.
Burns, James.    Kelly, John J.
Callahan, Will.    Kirk, Edward L.
Case, Lawrence L.   Koop, Fred.
Christenson, Carl J.   Lee, Shlton L/
Cochran, Francis E.   Liveris, Dany.
Cogsdale, Seth E.    Lorenzini, Giovanni
Contz_______[torn/missing]  Madigan, Charles P.
Crabt_______[torn/missing]  Martsolf, John M.
Crawford, Jacob C.   McCoy, Thomas.
Crossman, Leo M.   McCracken, Herman.
Coyle, Isaac M.    McNelly, August C.
Cutchin, Thomas H.   Merredith, Hugh.
Dalton, Ernest.    Migliacci, Nicola.
Davis, Jack.    Morgan, Harry.
Demas, Lewis.    Motley, Wister B.
Desjardins, Joseph.   Null, John W.
Detweiler, William C.   Nundy, Harold O.
Devlin, John J.    O’Harrow, William A.
Deyell, William E.   Oxman, Benjamin.
Dezern, Lewis A.    Parker, James D.
Digirolomo, Confrio.   Simanuk, Philip.
Dolan, Philip S.    Smeltzer, Harry O.
Doucet, Philias.    Smith, Roland I.
Doughty, Cecil L.   Springer, Frank J.
Downey, Thomas H.   Sullivan, Eugene J.
Duffield, Foster W.   Tarducci, Demenic.
Duncan, Harry.    Wylie, Charles F.
Dzwoskouski, Felix J.
Ecklund, Edward C.
Elick, Mike.
Elliott, William.
Enck, Samuel E.
Endline, John.
Englehart, Fred J.
Englehart, Robert H.

STATION LIST OF UNIT SINCE ARRIVAL IN  THE AMERICAN E.F.

UNIT  305TH ENGINEERS  COMPANY “B”  ARRIVED FRANCE  ON  TRANSPORT  HURON  AT  BREST.

    STATION     ARRIVED       LEFT

BREST    JUNE,8,1918   JUNE 15, 1918.
CALAIS   JUNE 13, 1918   JUNE 18, 1918.
SAMAR    JUNE 18, 1918   JUNE 19, 1918
WIDEHEM   JUNE 19, 1918   JUNE 21, 1918
BEZINGHEM   JUNE 21, 1918   JUNE 27, 1918
  TWO PLATOONS.
DEVRES   JUNE 21, 1918   JUNE 27, 1918
  TWO PLATOONS.
WIDEHEM   JUNE 27, 1918   JULY 4, 1918
SAMAR    JULY 4, 1918   JULY 4, 1918
BEAUVAL   JULY 6, 1918   JULY 15, 1918
WORLOY   JULY 15, 1918   JULY 26, 1918
SENLIS    JULY 26, 1918   AUG. 3, 1918
WORLOY   AUG. 3, 1918   AUG. 12, 1918
VARRENNES   AUG. 12, 1918   AUG. 18, 1918
BEAUVAL   AUG. 18, 1918   AUG. 19, 1918
PROUVILLE   AUG. 19, 1918   AUG. 22, 1918
POINCON   AUG. 24, 1918   AUG. 24, 1918
VANVEY   AUG. 24, 1918   AUG. 25, 1918
BURE-LES-TEMPLIERS  AUG. 25, 1918   AUG. 30, 1918
MAISEY-LES-DUC  AUG. 30, 1918   AUG. 31, 1918
POINCON   AUG. 31, 1918   Sept. 1, 1918
LIGNY    SEPT. 2, 1918   SEPT. 2, 1918
NANT-LE-PETIT  SEPT. 2, 1918   SEPT. 7, 1918
LIGNY    SEPT. 7, 1918   SEPT. 13, 1918
WILLERENCOURT  SEPT. 13, 1918   SEPT. 15, 1918
ST. ANDRE   SEPT. 15,  1918   SEPT. 19, 1918
LEMPIRE   SEPT. 19, 1918   SEPT. 23, 1918
GERMONVILLE  SEPT. 23, 1918   SEPT. 26, 1918
BETHINCOURT   SEPT. 26, 1918   SEPT. 29, 1918
MALANCOURT   SEPT. 29, 1918   OCT. 5, 1918
NANTILLOIS   Oct. 5, 1918   OCT. 6, 1918
MALANCOURT   OCT. 5, 1918   OCT. 9, 1918
SEPTSARGES   OCT. 9, 1918   OCT. 13, 1918
__UCOURT   OCT. 13, 1918   OCT. 14, 1918
_____EVILLE   OCT. 14, 1918   OCT. 15, 1918
______URT   OCT. 15, 1918   OCT. 16, 1918
_______OURT   OCT. 16, 1918   OCT. 24, 1918
________(CAMP MONHOVEN) OCT. 24, 1918   OCT. 27, 1918
_________   OCT. 27, 1918   NOV. 1, 1918
_________ES   NOV. 1, 1918   NOV. 2, 1918
_________   NOV. 2, 1918   NOV. 5, 1918
_________   NOV. 5, 1918   NOV. 11, 1918
_________ HOMMES  NOV. 11, 1918   NOV. 12, 1918
________ CHEHERY  NOV. 12, 1918   NOV. 13, 1918
________(CAMP MONHOVEN) NOV. 13, 1918   NOV. 18, 1918
_______NT   NOV. 18, 1918   NOV. 19, 1918
_______LES   NOV. 19, 1918   NOV. 20, 1918
_______ELLES   NOV. 20, 1918   NOV. 22, 1918
_______-EN-LIEU  NOV. 22, 1918   NOV. 23, 1918
________MTE   NOV. 23, 1918   NOV. 25, 1918
________R   NOV. 25, 1918   NOV. 26, 1918
________   NOV. 26, 1918   NOV. 27, 1918
_______NT   NOV. 27, 1918   NOV. 28, 1918
______-SEINE   NOV. 28, 1918   NOV. 29, 1918
______    NOV. 29, 1918   NOV. 30, 1918
_______ARMANCON  NOV. 30, 1918   DEC. 4, 1918
_______    DEC. 4, 1918

[end of page]
[my note:  The above page was in the worst shape of all the pages, and had a large piece missing, as denoted by the “__” underline that preceeds the last 24 lines.]

HEADQUARTERS 305TH ENGINEERS
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES.

  Fulvy, France, February 9, 1919

           The 305th  Engineer Regiment, 80th Division, was first organized
at Camp Lee, Va., during the early days of September 1917.  The
officer personnel had been assembled and assignments to duty had been
made on August 27, 1917.  Colonel George R. Spalding was placed in
command.  The training of the regiment was started immediately, the
time being about equally divided between Infantry Drill and Military
Engineering.

           The authorized strength of an Engineer Regiment and Engineer
Train, including Medical, Ordnance and Veterinary Detachments (attached)
is 57 officers and 1782 men.  The organization consists of two Batta-
lions of three companies each, a Headquarters Detachment, an Engineer
Train, and a Medical Detachment.  A Band has been authorized since
August 1918, but most Engineer Regiments organized a Band from the
beginning, placing the members on special duty.  The officer personnel
includes a Colonel, Lieut. Colonel, three Majors, in command of the
two Battalions and the Medical Detachment.  Captains in command of the
companies and as Personnel Officer, Topographical Officer, supply
Officer, Adjutants and Medical Officers.  Lieutenants as company officers
and the Regimental Chaplain.  The enlisted personnel consists of
Regimental Sergeant Majors, Master Engineers, Senior and Junior Grade,
Regimental Supply Sergeants, Battalion Sergeant Majors, First Sergeants,
Sergeants First Class, Sergeant Bugler, Color Sergeants, Mess Sergeants,
Stable Sergeants, Sergeants, Corporals, Cooks, Horseshoers, Mechanics,
Saddlers, Wagoners, Buglers, Privates First Class, and Privates.

           During the training period there were frequent changes in the
personnel including officers and non-commissioned officer appointments,
 and new increments of men from the Depot Brigade to take the place of
those transferred or lost on account of sickness.  A considerable
number of men entered the Regiment in this way in early December and
a still larger number, amounting to nearly 50% of the strength in
March and April, the latter increase being assigned to take the place
of men who had already been withdrawn from the Regiment for overseas
service.

          Early in the Spring the Companies in rotation left camp for
periods of about a week, marching to Dutch Gap, Va., where instructions
was given in Engineer Drill.  They were also given instruction on
Pontoon Bridges, on the Appomattox River, about the same time.

         In May the rumors of departure for overseas duty, which had
started in March, become more persistent, the Engineer equipment was
packed and unpacked several times and finally on the 24th of May
orders to move were received.  An advance party, consisting of
Captain Thomas J. Powell and Sergeant Frederick C. James, had left
camp with the Division advance party a few days earlier, and had
preceeded to Brest.  Colonel Spalding had also left for France on
May 18th with the Commanding General of the 80th Division as Acting
Chief of Staff, so that the Regiment was under command of the Lieut.
Colonel until Colonel Spalding rejoined it at Samer, France.
 

       - 1 -
 
 

                                                       - 2 -

        The Regiment left Camp Lee at 2:00 A.M. on May 25th and marched
under heavy equipment to City Point (nine miles) where they boarded
two small steamers for Newport News.  After a rest during the day the
Regiment embarked on the U.S. Transport “Huron” formerly the “Frederick
der Grosse” of the Hamburg-American Line.  On May 26th at 4:00 P.M.
the steamer joined the other vessels of the convoy outside of port.

       The ship’s Commander was Commodore Doyle, U.S.N.  The total
convoy consisted of twelve armed transports.  The Cruiser “North Carolina”
accompanied the “Huron”  to sea until other ships joined the convoy
after which a destroyer replaced her, crossing with the fleet.  Ten
more destroyers joined the fleet several days before port was reached.
The day before sighting land the convoy split and half the vessels
headed for Bordeaux while the other half, including the “Huron” made
for Brest.

       The trip across was without incident, as the weather was fair
and no submarines were encountered.  The quarters on the ship, however,
were very crowded and the food was not over-abundant, but very tempting
in quality.  Who will forget the remarks?  “Soldier, you can’t stand here”
just as one had selected a comfortable place on deck; or “Hot stuff,
coming through” when the mess cans were being carried about.

      At 4:00 P.M., June 8th the “Huron” anchored in Brest Roads, and
the regiment boarded a tender and went ashore.  The whole outfit then
marched up to “Pontanezen Barracks”, and remained there until June 12th.
During these four days no liberty was granted.

      Just before leaving the United States, Captain Maurice E. Gilmore
had been transferred out of the regiment.  First Lieut. Frank Weaver had
been promoted to Captain and assigned to 1st Battalion as Adjutant, in
place of Captain Samuel Sherrerd, who was made Personnel Officer.
Captain William R. Grunow was transferred from the command of “F”
Company to the command of “D” company, and First Lieutenant Fred G.
Rockwell was placed in command of “F” Company.  Captain J. Shlessinger
had been sick in hospital since March 27th and did not cross with the
outfit.

        At 1:00 P.M. Wednesday June 12th the regiment left Pontanezen
Barracks and marched to the railroad station, where three days rations were issued
and the train was boarded.  Passenger coaches were provided,
but, as usual, there was no room to spare.  The trip lasted two days and
the destination proved to be Calais, which point was reached at 2:30 P.M.
June 14th

        The regiment marched to British Rest Camp No. 6, where the men were
quartered in bell tents, as many as fourteen or fifteen men to a tent.
The men were instructed to be on guard for air raids, one of which had
taken place two nights before, and if such occured to keep under cover
and to lie flat on the ground.  The same night there was an alarm, which
broke up several poker games rather suddenly; but it proved to be false.

        The next few days were spent in exchanging American for British
“Lee-Enfield” rifles; in getting equipped with gas masks and in drill
and instructions under British Sergeants and Officers.

                                                       - 3 -

        On June 17th at 7:30 P.M. the regiment marched to an entraining point
near Calais, boarded box cars-thirty-five to forty men per car- and moved
to Samar (fifteen kilometers from Boulogne) arriving the same evening.

        Training under British direction was continued at Samar and in the
neighboring towns of Menty, Widehem, Devree and Halinghen.  Campaign
hats were turned in and exchanged for overseas caps.  On June 25th the
regiment was re-equipped with British transport, both horses and wagons?

       The weather towards the end of June became hot, so that the roads
were in good condition.  On one occaision several units of the regiment
marched to Etaples for a swim.

      Colonel Spalding had now rejoined the regiment and taken command.
Major J. Vinton Birch and First Lieutenants H.R.Haar and William Booth
were ordered to school, from which they were to go to the United States,
when the course was completed.  Lieutenants Booth and Haar were later
assigned to the 317th Engineers.  First Lieut. John T. Morgan was
relieved from command of the Engineer Train and appointed Acting
Regimental Adjutant, and Second Lieut. Herman Maier placed in command.
Captain George W. Knight became commander of the 2nd Battalion.

        On July 4th the regiment entrained for Candas from which point it
marched to Beauval, where Divisional and Regimental Headquarters were
established and remained for the next two months.  The Engineer Train,
which was now equipped with British-horsed transport, made the 100
kilometer trip over the roads.

        The regiment had now reached the front and was brigaded with the
British.  Training was continued in the neighborhood of Beauval and
included rifle and bayonet practice, barbed wiring and trench drill.
The entire organization was billeted in the town except the Train,
which occupied tents and constructed bivvies.

        It was soon found that Beauval was all right in the day time, but
not so agreeable after dark.  On practically every clear night there was
an air raid alarm, followed by the playing of search-lights and a bombard-
ment by anti-aircraft batteries.  The first serious raid on the town
itself during the stay of the regiment occurred on the night of July 18th
when seven bombs were dropped, demolishing a small dwelling house and
killing four civilians.  A baby, sleeping in a cradle in this house,
miraculously escaped injury, though the building about the cradle was
completely wrecked.  Captain Robert Luce, the Regimental Dental Surgeon,
had a narrow escape on this occasion, as did a number of others in the
Regiment.

         Several nights later a very large Boche plane was brought down near
Beauval.  The machine, which was flying quite low, was picked up by the
search-lights and was plainly visible to those standing in the streets
of the town.  After a brief bombardment from the anti-aircraft batteries,
the guns suddenly stopped firing and it was seen that a British plane was
up and was attacking the Boche.  After a short fight the German plane
caught on fire and fell rapidly.  The plane was destroyed and the crew
of nine men killed.  Upon striking the ground some bombs exploded and
also killed two Englishmen who came running up.  This huge bombing plane
measured 144 feet from wing tip to wing tip and was provided with five
motors.
 

                                                      - 4 -
      On July 15th the 1st Battalion marched to Harponville where head-
quarters was established.  Company “B” moved to Senlis and Companies “A”
and “C” to positions between Senlis and Varennes.  The Battalion was now
engaged on the construction and repair of the Front Line and reserve trench
system, barbed wire aprons, dugouts, pill boxes etc.  Reconnaissance and
night wiring parties went out into No Man’s Land and in general performed
the same duties as the British troops holding the sector.

     The 2nd Battalion marched from Beauval to Coigneaux on July 15th
establishing Headquarters at the latter point.  “E” and “F” companies were
camped between Coigneux and Souastre, and “D” Company at Bayencourt.
The Battalion performed the same type of trench work as the 1st Battalion.

      Men of the regiment were under fire daily, and the first casualty
occurred on July 31st when Sergeant Claypool of “B” Company was killed
by a high explosive shell while at work between Millencourt and Albert.
He was buried with Military Honors at Harponville.  Chaplain Luther Clark
of the regiment, conducting the service.  Several days later Master Engineer
Charles E. Wilson was seriously wounded by a sharpnel [sp] burst in a trench
where he was working near Monchy.

     On August 1st, First Lieut. Robert C. Levis was appointed Adjutant
of the 2nd Battalion.  2nd Lieuts., Oscar C. Bohlin and James M. Howe
were assigned to the regiment from the 101st Engineers.  On August 8th
Captain Jacob Shlessinger returned to the regiment from hospital at Camp
Lee and was appointed Topographical Officer in place of Captain Thomas J.
Powell, who returned to the United States at this time, together with the
following officers:  Captain George F. Hobson, Captain William R. Grunov,
First Lieuts. C.J.Brady, J.T.Thompson and K.S. Abell.  First Lieutenant
William A. Smith was appointed Regimental Supply Officer from “B” Company.
First Lieut. William Robinson of “A” Company was placed in command of
Company “D”.  First Lieut. Charles W. Chesley was transferred from “E”
Company to Headquarters Company.  On August 17th Lieut. Colonel E.H.Ropes
left the regiment for assignment to duty in the United States.  On
August 26th First Lieut. Fred W. Wright was assigned to the regiment from
the 66th Engineers.

     On August 8th the 2nd Battalion marched to Baieuval from which point
details of men were assigned to British units for instruction.  The Regiment
at this time was working with the IV, V and VI British Corps.  The New
Zealanders and Australians in the neighborhood of Sonastre had a consider-
able number of men assigned to them from the 2nd Battalion.

    On August 18th the 1st Battalion moved to the woods outside of Beauval
and on the following day joined the Engineer Train and Headquarters Company
and marched to Prouville.  On the same day the 2nd Battalion moved from
Baieullval to Coigneux and at 3:A.M. the next morning started to march
for an entraining point.  The route led through Beauval to Bernaville and
the distance covered 37 kilometers, establishing a record for the Division.
The Battalion arrived at Bernaville at 6:00 P.M., having marched under
heavy equipment for twelve hours, exclusive of a two hours rest at noon.
Very few men fell out of the line of march.

     The regiment had already made many moves, generally under full
equipment, and its reputation for moving often and for long hikes was
sustained during later operations.

The regiment entrained from Prouville West and Bernaville in three
sections, on the evening of August 23rd.  Trains made up of box cars and
flat cars were provided.  After two nights and a day, via Amiens and Paris,
the training area of Chatillen-sur-Seine was reached.
                                                       - 5 -

  The 1st Battalion and Headquarters Detachment detrained at Poincon and
marched to Vanvey where the night was spent.  The march was resumed next
morning and the town of Bure-les-Templiers was reached, where the troops
were billeted.  The 2nd Battalion detrained at Chattilion and marched to
Maisey-le-Duc where they rested and marched the night of August 24-25 and
reached the town of Colmier-le-Bas where the troops were billeted, except
“F” Company which continued the march to Chauger where they were billeted.
The Engineer Train detrained at Les Launus and moved to Bure-les Templiers.
Colonel Spalding marched at the head of the column the entire distance.

     The next few days were passed in fixing up billets and in starting a
regular training schedule.  On August 31st, orders were changed, however,
and the regiment prepared to march the next day.  The first night’s halt
was made at the old location at Maisey-le-Duc and the second at the
entraining point, Poincon.  The regiment boarded two trains of box and
flat cars and left Poincon in the evening of September 2nd., passing
fhrough Bar-le-Duc in the morning, the trains pulled up at Nancois-
Tronville at noon, where the regiment detrained and rested until evening.

     The orders issued drew especial attention to the necessity of
concealing the presence of all troops as much as possible, so that after
this time all marches were made at night.  During the daytime the troops
were ordered to stay under cover of buildings or woods and not to assemble
in groups or formations in the open.  These regulations proved onerous
at times, but were faithfully complied with by the majority of the troops
in the concentration which was now being effected, so that favorable
reports were rendered by our airplane observers whose duty it was to
watch out for infringements of the orders.  The only unfavorable comment
that was made was in connection with the smoke from fires in the woods.
The only fires allowed were those in the rolling kitchens, and as nothing
but green wood was obtainable it was sometimes necessary to put out even
the kitchen fires and serve a cold meal.

     On the evening of September 2nd the regiment marched from Tronville-
through Ligny, Headquarters of the 1st Army, to Nante-le-Petite.  On the
following day camp locations in the woods were selected and the regiment
moved out under canvas.  The next three days were rainy and all were
thoroughly uncomfortable in the small tents.  Everything was wet, no
lights were allowed at night and no fires except for cooking were permit-
ted at any time.

     On the evening of September 7th the regiment left Nante-le-Petit and
marched to Ligny-en-Barrois, arriving in the pitch darkness and rain at
1:00 A.M.  The rest of the night was spent in the open as it had been
determined to camp on a hill above the town.  On September 12th the
regiment moved to billets in Willeroncourt, which event was a welcome
relief from the wet conditions of tenting in the woods and bushes.
Our Division was now in Reserve for the St. Mihiel drive which was begun
that morning.  Several hundred Austrian prisoners captured in the St.
Mihiel Drive passed through town September 12th and 13th.  On the evening
of September 14th the Transport moved out and the next day the men embussed
in French Camions at 7:40 P.M. 50 kilometers to St. Andre Woods,
arriving in the dark at 4:30 A.M.  The camp loc ation in the open woods
was better than at Ligny or Nante-le-Petite, but the weather continued
rather wet, so that living conditions were far from comfortable.  Although
every effort was made to conceal the presence of the men and Transport,
it was evident to all by this time that a huge concentration of troops
was being effected.  Every wood was full of men and at night the roads
were choked with Transport, while camouflaged dumps of supplies and
ammunition were to be seen at frequent intervals.
                                                       - 6 -
     On September 19th orders were issued to move forward.  The column
was formed on the road about midnight and after waiting in line several
hours for other troops to pass, the road was clear and the regiment
marched until  8:00 A.M., when they reached the location in the woods
two kilometers from Lempire.  The frequent halts and long waiting
experienced on this march made it one of the hardest which the men had
been through.

     September 20th and 21st were spent in the woods resting and fixing
camp.  The weather became much colder so that improvised stoves in the
huts were put to full use.  Plans were now being worked out for the part
which the Engineers were to take in the big drive and several officers
made reconnaissance trips to the lines from this point.  This camp
location was about one kilometer from the Fort de Landrecourt, the most
western fort of the chain protecting Verdun.

     September 23-25th was spent in moving up into position for the
drive.  On the 25th the location of the units was as follows: Regimen-
tal Headquarters, Engineer Train, and Headquarters were at dugouts about
two kilometers north of Germonville; 1st Battalion had moved in the
evening from Fromereville to dugouts northwest of Germonville; D and E
Companies were located in the woods near the road south of Eau Claire;
C Company was stationed about two kilometers west of Chattancourt.

     The regiment had been assigned the duty of opening up the road
for the division from Esnes to Bethincourt to do which it was necessary
to construct a new road across the front line trenches and No Man’s Land
and to build a bridge across Forgos Brook into Bethincourt.  To this
end construction material had been hauled up as far as possible by
truck and wagon and then carried up farther by hand and camouflaged in
the trenches.  For two days previous to the attack every means of
transport was utilized to the upmost, and owing to the more or less
constant enemy shelling and the congestion of the roads a trip of but
a few kilometers often took from twelve to twenty-four hours.  Drivers
and horses had little opportunity to rest and food and forage were
difficult to obtain since any arrangements made in advance were sure
to fall down under the changed circumstances of the moment.  Nor was
the condition in the companies much better, for night marching, the
constant call for details, the uncomfortable and dangerous positions
in which the men found themselves, gave small chance for rest.

     The weather had been cloudy and overcast for a number of days
before the drive, which was favorable on the whole for the American
operations since it made enemy observation difficult, and permitted
more movement in the daytime than would otherwise have been adviseable.
By September 25th the ground had been dried up enough so that “sand
tracks” across the fields were possible to use, this relieving somewhat
the tremendously heavy traffic on the roads.

     Regimental Headquarters was situated in a bell tent at the top
of a hill, close to the main road.  At this point there was a large
dugout with a number of entrances, and with three underground galleries
on different levels, which afforded sleeping quarters for many of the
men; but it was so damp and crowded below ground that some men preferred
getting what rest they could sleeping in wagons or under the trees.
A battery of fourteen 155 millimeter guns was located ju st below the
dugout and so close that the blast from their muzzles made it rather
dangerous to go down into the dugout entrance when the cannon were in
operation.  Another battery of still larger calibre was located behind
some trees just across the road and when one of those pieces opened up
the concussion was so tremendous that it fairly took one’s breath away.
                                                       - 7 -
     The traffic along the road was continuous and often became
blocked.  Whatever officers were on hand, in addition to their other
duties, did whatever they could towards directing and relieving traffic.
Colonel Spalding himself spent most of one night clearing up a bad
block at this point.  A free canteen was also opened up by the regiment
and a very large number of men who had not had anything to eat for a
long time were served with hot coffee and bread and syrup.
     At 11:35 on the evening of September 25th the great bombardment
opened up and continued all night.  The din was terriffic and the sky
was lit up far and wide with the flashes of the guns.  It was observed
that the German guns ceased firing almost immediately, which seemed to
indicate that our pieces were registering on their batteries.
     Early in the morning the Infantry went over the top, Companies
D and E of the Engineers advancing with them.  Companies B and F and
500 Pioneer Infantry under Captain Kenney started the construction of
the bridge across Forges Brook at 6:30 A.M. and completed it so that
the Artillery was able to cross at 9:30 A.M.  Machine-gunning from the
air as well as the ground, and more or less continuous enemy shelling
made these operations very difficult, but by good fortune the Boche
never managed to register a hit on the bridge.

     The Divisional Transport, as well as that of other Divisions and
a large amount of French Artillery, immediately started to move over
the road from Chattancourt through Esnes and down into Bethincourt.
This road was practically the only means of advance even for foot
soldiers as the ground all about was so torn up with shell holes and
demolished trenches that it was impassable.  It will be remembered
that the Division was advancing over a sector which had previous seen
some of the bitterest fighting of the war.  The famous “Dead Man’s Hill”
lay between Chattancourt and Bethincourt, the road running across a
spur of the hill.  For the next forty-eight hours every effort was
turned towards keeping traffic moving from Esnes into Bethincourt.
Again and again blocks would occur, caused by trucks sticking in the
mud, or double banking or horses unable to pull a heavy gun or loaded
wagon out of the mud.  It was often necessary to overturn a truck
into the ditch or to order a wagon pulled off the road and discarded
so that the long line of vehicles behind it might move forward.
Showers on the morning of September 27th made the difficulties much
greater, but by good fortune the next few days were dry and the road
work progressed favorably.

     The town of Bethincourt was a heap of ruins with only a few
walls left standing.  One of the first tasks was to clear up the
streets and fill up the shell holes so that traffic could pass
through the town.   Although completely exhausted the men continued
to perform this work under the personal supervision of Colonel Spalding,
who himself had been constantly at work without sleep for almost three
days.  Regimental Headquarters were established in the Colonel’s car
near the bridge which had been built across Forges Brook.  The staff
slept in a small dugout under the ruins of a building.  The Regiment
was now located in and about Bethincourt and for the next few days
worked principally on the roads in the vicinity.  There was little
shelter available and there was constant menace from the enemy shelling
and from hostile aeroplanes.  During this period and for the next two
weeks there were very large concentrations of men and transport in and
about Bethincourt.  For the most part the men were exposed to the view
of enemy airplane observers, who frequently came across the lines, and
the fact that there were as few casualties as there were can only be
ascribed to the force of our attack and the thoroughness of the artillery
preparation which kept the enemy constantly looking out for himself.  As
it was, the losses in animals from machine gun fire were considerable.
                                                       - 8 -
     On September 29th the Engineer Train moved into Bethincourt via
Malancourt, the direct road from Esnes having been ordered a one-way
route to the rear.  The location chosen by the Train proved to be a
bad one, for a number of shells came over in quick succession, wounding
one man, killing three horses, and wounding four others.  The Train
moved its Headquarters back to Esnes on the following day, but a number
of the wagons remained on duty forward.  On the same day the 2nd
Battalion moved to Cuisy.  Regimental Headquarters was established in
the deep dugouts between Bethincourt and Cuisy.  All companies were
put on road work.
     On October 2nd Colonel Spalding was relieved from command of the
Regiment and appointed Chief Engineer of the 1st Army.  Major Bright
was ordered to staff School and was relieved of command of the 1st
Battalion by Captain Kenney.   Captain Knight was promoted to Major
and became Acting Lieut. Colonel of the Regiment.  Captain Hoff was
appointed commander of the 2nd Battalion.  Lieut. Packard was assigned
the command of B Company and Lieut. Yereance the command of C Company.
Lieutenant Morgan was promoted to Captain.  Second Lieutenants Sinclair
and Maier were appointed First Lieutenants.  First Lieut. Stuart relieved
Lieut. Maier as commander of the Train.
     A great concentration of heavy artillery was taking place in
the valleys between Bethincourt and Cuisy.  These pieces were emplaced
in the open with little or no camouflage, and as there were enemy planes
“over” many times during the day, it was not surprising that a good deal
of hostile shelling took place all over this area.  The Colonel’s mess
had been established in the “upstairs” room of a large dugout, and on
one occasion at about this time a Jerry shell landed on the roof, just
as the Staff were sitting down to dinner.  The cooks and field range
outside the door were sprinkled with dirt, and their was a good deal of
commotion for a minute or two.  Finally it was deemed more prudent to
move farther down under ground.
     On October 4th, Colonel Harry Burgess was assigned to the regiment.
The first officer casualties occurred on this date.  First Lieutenant
Ward H. Ream, on duty at Nantillois, was instantly killed by the explosion
of a high explosive shell which hit his horse.  Lieut. F.W. Wright was severly
wounded and Lieut. Orbison was slightly wounded on the same day.  A few
days later Captain Kenney and Lieut. Moses H. Simmons were slightly wounded.
     The following men from the regiment having been commissioned 2nd
Lieutenants, were assigned to the different commands; Henry G. Buckingham,
Francis M. Tompkins, Henry L. Cannon, Edward A. Furrer, Edwin B. Hudson,
Frank M. Schultz, Frederick Sonand, Howard C. Spencer.  The following
officers reported for duty in the regiment: 2nd Lieutenants John C. Naylor,
Moses H. Simmons, John C. Watkins, Robert J. Cheatham, John T. Ellis and
Charles S. Rollings.
     The weather was clear for the first week of October and there was great
air activity.  A line of ten or more of our observation balloons
could often be seen at a time.  One of these captive balloons, which
was located within a short distance of Regimental Headquarters, was the
particular object of enemy plane attacks.. Six times in twenty-four
hours hostile fliers swooped down and attempted to set fire to the
balloon with incendiary bullets, but each time they were driven off by
a hail of machine gun bullets from the ground, and the balloon observer
descended in safety my means of his parachute.  The seventh enemy
attempt was more successful.  A single flier appeared suddenly from a
cloud just towards evening, and headed right for the balloon succeeded
in setting it on fire before he was even discovered.  The observer
jumped and had fallen half way to the ground when the envelope of the
balloon, now a mass of flames, appeared about to fall on top of his
parachute.  By good fortune, however, a gust of wind caught the flaming
balloon just in time and carried it clear of the man clinging to the parachute,
so that although the balloon was destroyed, the observer was saved.
                                                       - 9 -
     On the day the Armistice with Bulgaria was signed newspapers
were dropped by our planes and were eagerly read by our boys.  About
this same time a very large fleet of American planes crossed the
lines on a bombing expedition.  The sky was literally darkened by
them and more than two hundred were counted at one time.

     By October 7th all companies except F had moved to Cuisy
from which point road work was carried on, parties were sent out on
front line wiring and our positions were consolidated.  Very little
shelter was obtainable for the men and there was constant danger
from enemy field artillery and from gas.  Several casualties
were suffered.  Lieut. Buckingham of E Company was gassed.  A shell
landed square on a tent where the three cooks of A Company were
sleeping, killing them instantly.  Private Williams of A Company
died on the following day.

     The American attack had been completely successful and the 80th
Division had not only succeeded in breaking through the Hindenburg
Line, but had advanced eight or ten kilometers over most difficult
terrain, gaining all its objectives.  An examination of the ground
passed over disclosed the presence of numberless dugouts, machine
gun nests, trenches, pill boxes, barbed wire entanglements and every
other form of obstacle that could be devised in several years of
occupation.  All these difficulties had been overcome so that when
the Division was relieved on October 12th there was a general feeling
that material progress had been made towards ending the war.

     On October 13th the companies forward left Septsargos in the
afternoon and the entire regiment marched through Esnes, Montzeville
and Dombasle to the Bois-de-Lanchamp in the Foret-de-Hesse.  Here the
Regiment spent the night and the entire next day resting in the woods.

     On October 15th the regiment marched to Ippecourt, spending the
night in barracks.  On October 16th the march was continued to
Foucaucourt, where the two battalions, minus F Company, remained for
the rest period.  Regimental Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment,
Engineer Train and F Company were located in the next town, Evres.
The following week was spent in washing up, re-outfitting, drill and
rest.  The Regimental Band now being authorized, was orgainized,
assembled and gave daily concerts.

     Major Knight was promoted to Lieut. Colonel of the regiment.
Captains Hoff and Kenney were appointed Majors.  2nd Lieuts. Bohlin,
Allcroft, Collier and Buckingham were promoted to 1st Lieutenants.
Lieut. Levis and Lieut. Robinson had been promoted to Captain some
days previously, and 2nd Lieuts. Lebeck, Shaw and Sydow had also been
advanced to First Lieutenants.

     On October 23rd orders were received to move and the companies
packed up, and ambussed the following morning.  French camions with
Cochin-Chinese drivers were provided.  Le Claon was reached at 11:00 A.M.,
at which point the regiment debussed and marched up the hill to Camp
Monhoven.  This camp, in the high beech woods of the Argonne, was a
very agreeable spot.  It lay just beyond the zone of advance of the
great Verdun attack in 1916, so that there were no signs of destruct-
ion, but many huts and elaborate dugouts had been constructed by the
French during their occupancy, and these provided comfortable shelter
for the regiment.  The stay here, proved all too short, however, for
orders to move forward again were received on October 27th.  On October
28th the entire regiment except Regimental Headquarters marched from
Monhoven through Varennes and Apremont to locations south of Fleville.
                                                       - 10 -
     The regiment was now back at the Front about thirty kilometers
West of the point at which it had left the lines.  The camp sites
selected were on the steep slopes of hills close to Fleville and Cornay.
Such temporary bivvies and dugouts as could be constructed in a short
time gave some shelter from hostile fire which was encountered during
this period.  The location of the Regiment was in the zone of the “Heavies”.

     An Engineer dump had been established on the top of the hill about
two kilometers south of Fleville and on October 29th the Engineer Train
moved to the same location.  Regimental Headquarters were established at
La Forge about a kilometer West of the Dump at the Chatel Chehery bridge-
head over the Aire River.  All necessary preparations for the attack on
November 1st were now being completed.

     There was much air activity, enemy planes appearing frequently
over our lines, and geing subjected to the fire of our anti-aircraft
batteries.  There was every indication of this being al [an] All-American
Drive.  For the first time there were few French batteries in line and
it was with considerable satisfaction that the presence of a large
number of Holt Tractors and other American machines were seen.  There
were many German signs still up, showing that the territory occupied
had not long before been in enemy hands.  The smaller signs were eagerly
pounced upon by the truck drivers, who seized them as souvenirs and
fastened them on to the radiators of their machines.  Trucks which had seen
service at the front could be indentified for many weeks afterwards by these signs.

     The month of November opened with the attack of the first Army on a
front from the Argonne to and including both banks of the Meuse River.
The 305th Engineers had been in position south of Fleville and at La Forge
for several days in readiness to assist the Eightieth Division in its
projected advance on a sector two kilometers wide, west of Sommerance.
The attack started early in the morning of November first with a heavy
bombardment and barrage.  The day was clear but the roads wee muddy,
adding to the difficulties of transport.  All companies of the regiment
immediately moved forward, taking up their various assignments to duty.
Company “A” under command of Captain Donald S. MacBride, worked on roads,
keeping up with the advancing Infantry.  It was found by reconnaissance
that the German mining operations on the Bridge at Allipont had been
interrupted before the detonators had been placed in the charge so that
the two Platoons of the company assigned to the repair of the bridge
were put back on road work immediately behind the Infantry.  At this time
Captain MacBride was wounded in the heel by a machine-gun bullet and the
command of the company passed temporarily to Lieutenant Orbisen.
2nd Lieut. William C. Davis was wounded on the same day near Sommerance
being struck on the shoulder by a (dud) of fairly large caliber.  The shell
had evidently spent its force, , the Lieutenant described picking it up as
“still warm”.  Private first-class C.R.Frederick and Privates C.C. Goad
and Banks Wilson were also wounded by shell fire.  Corporal Lewis E. Plaiss
and Private G. Dicello and J.B. Davis were missing in action.

     Company “B”, Captain Charles L. Packard commanding, moved forward to
St. Georges and repaired the bridge found damaged there.  The company
cleared the streets of St. Georges which had been rendered impassable by
shell fire, and worked on the roads.  Corporal P.J.Natale and Private W.H.Frye
were struck by shell fragments, and Private T.R.Cutchin was gassed in this vicinity.
     Company “C”, under command of Captain Alexander W. Yereance, was
assigned to Divisional Artillery (157th Brigade) to assist in moving the
guns.  As the roads were in good condition little difficulty was experienced.
On this day Corporal A.J.Jennings and Private First Class Myers and
Private B.H.Carney were wounded by shell fire.  Private Bascome R. Durham
was reported missing and was never heard of again.
                                                       - 11 -
     Company “D”, Captain William Robinson, had two platoons attached to
the attacking Infantry (160th Brigade), one Platoon repairing roads and one
Platoon attached to Light Artillery.  Men of the company were many times in
exposed positions and one officer and seven men were wounded by shell and
machine-gun fire as follows:  2nd Lieut. Frederick Sonand, Sergeant Charles
R. Blatt, Private First Class Andrew Hardish, Private Henry Abrams, Private
J.D.Brown, Private G.J.Presley, Private C.F.Priest and Private P.J.Vallely.

     Company “E”, under command of Captain Irl D. Brent, after breaking
camp east of Cornay at 2:30 A.M. joined the Infantry in the advance through
Sommerance.  The bridge east of St. Georges being found intact, the company
was put to work on the St. Georges – Imecourt Road.  The company transport
was subject to such severe fire that it was found necessary to unhitch the
horses and place them in a sunken trail for protection.  The company dug in
north-west of St. Georges for the night.  Severe casualties were suffered in
the course of the day.  Private First Class Thedford H. Fleenor was killed
by shell fire near St. Georges.  Sergeant First Class C.E. Myers, Sergeant
John A. Gordon, Corporal Alfred J. Hoffler, Privates First Class J.N. Crytzer,
J.A. Almon, F.L.Lowstetter, Giovanni Scopel, Joseph McDonough and Privates
E.R. Mockers, Leo Voltaire, William T. King, George E. Hunt, E.F. Allshouse,
S. Brocate, S.R. Butler, E.J.Gorren, M. Leonard, W.M.Randles, W.R. Porch,
and F.E. Wotter were wounded.

     Company “F”, Captain Fred G. Rockwell in command of Company, moved
forward from Fleville to St. Georges where they established a Dump, when
it was found that the bridges were intact.  A detail under Lieutenant
Menko was assigned to duty with the Infantry, destroying unexploded mines,
and rendered valuable service.  Sergeant Carthow of this detail was instantly
killed by machine-gun fire in an encounter with the Germans.  During the
course of the work on roads Corporal Smith was killed by sharpnel and
Corporal R.E.Fraker and Privates J.W. Burchill, V.A. Zanetto were wounded.
Private Hatfield was captured by the enemy, but later succeeded in making
his escape and returning to the company.  Private J.H. Webb was severely
wounded by a machine-gun bullet.  Master Engineer Jr/Gr. G.P.Donalds, Hq.
Det., Corporals H.G. Brigman and M. Fabina, Privates Malone A. Damlevski,
F.L.Clark and A.W.Molinare were also wounded.
     During the first day of the attack, all units of the regiment were subjected to
more or less severe shell and machine-gun fire.  The night was an uncomfortable
and trying experience for all the men.  The only shelter obtainable was in shell
holes or in hastily constructed dugouts.
     November 2nd found the Germans in retreat but offering stubborn rear-
guard resistance at many points.  A general advance of several kilometers
was made by the Division, and, as on the previous day, much work was done by
the regiment in repairing bridges and roads, filling shell craters and
in aiding transportation.
     As is generally the case on the 2nd day of an attack the exact position
and strength of the enemy was difficult to determine.  The weather though
clear in the morning, became rainy in the P.M., rendering aerial observation
difficult.  Shelling was less severe than on the previous day and the
casualties in the regiment were lighter.  Company “E” was billeted in Sivry
for the night.  The other companies dug in during the night in positions
in the neighborhood of Imecourt and St. Georges.  Regimental Headquarters
moved to Imecourt.  At four P.M. of the same day the Engineer Train, left
the location south of Fleville and moved forward during the night.  The
Dump detail, consisting chiefly of members of the Band, which had been
performing excellent service under Captain Shlessinger and Master Engineer
Carns, also moved from this location.
     First Lieut. Henry G. Buckingham of “E” Company, who had been gassed
in the drive of September 26th, was admitted to the hospital on this day.
Sergeant James C. McConahy of “A” Company and Private First Class Raymond
V. Murray of Medical Detachment were wounded.
                                                       - 12 -
     November 3rd was the day of rapid forward movement.  Regimental
Headquarters moved from Imecourt to Buzancy.  The Engineer Train after
remaining several hours at Imecourt pushed on through Buzancy to Bar.
Company “A” assisted the advancing Infantry in moving their Field Pieces.
Company “C” continued working with the Artillery.  Companies “B”,  “D”,
“E” and “F” continued work on roads and bridges.  A detail from Company “B”
also removed several hundred demolition charges from the railroad tracks
north of Buzancy.  During the construction of the bridge at S.E. entrance
to Buzancy, Private John Wojtkowick was killed, Sergeant G.A. Groves,
Corporal Albert Trent, and L.W. Sheasley all of “E” Company were wounded.
Sergeant First Class Jerome McLaughlin and Private First Class Joseph
Golzinia were wounded November 3rd.

     The regiment had now entirely passed through the zone covered by
the preliminary American Bombardment and Barrage and into a country
untouched by shell fire.  Of the towns passed through, St. George was
completely wrecked and the region about it so pitted with shell holes
that it was almost impossible to find a single spot of ground where a man
could have escaped destruction, while at Imecourt, though many of the
buildings were damaged, the greater number of them remained standing.
Most of the buildings in Buzancy were intact, but a block of houses in
central part of the town had been set on fire by the Germans and was still
blazing when the Engineer Headquarters moved into town on the evening of
the 3rd.  On entering the houses it was found that in most cases every
thing of value had been removed and that they were in a very dirty and
uncared for state.  Regimental Headquarters was located in a large building
next to the church, where it remained until November 7th.  Several of
the companies were billeted in Buzancy and work was continued in repairing
roads, aiding transportation and destroying unexploded mines.

     The period from November 4th to November 7th was occupied in the
general advance of the division over the territory abandoned by the enemy.
Companies “A”, “E” and “F” engaged on advance road work were subjected to
hostile fire on a number of occasions in the neighborhood of the towns of
Vaux-en-Dieulet, Sommauthe and Beaumont and there were a number of casual-
ties.  The rolling country with scattered clumps of bushes and groups of
trees north of Buzancy was particularly favorable for machine-gun and
light artillery defense.  Several days passed before it was certain that
the region was absolutely clear of the Germans.  Of “A” Company, Private
First Class Charles F. Bricker was killed, Private A.L.Aker died of wounds,
and Corporals Frank Allman and Oscar J. Schwenning were wounded.
Horseshoes Heragin Yuchnov, Wagner Dick Dishong, Private First Class
C.S. Suskey and Private A.W.Molinaro of “F” Company were wounded.

     On the night of November 4th at about 9:00 P.M. an enemy air raid was
made on Buzancy.  Several bombs were dropped near the railroad station on
the northern outskirts of the town, there was a brief interval and then one
bomb exploded in a building in the center of town, so near to Regimental
Headquarters that the crash of falling beams and plaster could be heard.
Four or five more bombs were dropped  somewhat further off and then the
raider departed.  The streets were crowded with transport at the time and many
men were billeted in the town, but it is not known that any casualties were caused.
On November 6th Colonel Burgess was relieved and transferred to the
16th Railroad Engineers.  Lieut. Colonel George W. Knight assumed command
of the regiment.  Captain John T. Morgan, Regimental Adjutant was ordered
to First Army and Captain Robert C. Levis was appointed Adjutant.  Lieut.
Stuart was relieved from command of the Engineer Train and appointed Acting
Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion.  First Lieut. Edward Sinclair was assigned
to command the Train.  On the same day the Regiment was transferred to the
5th Corps for duty and from November 6th to November 10th inclusive was
assigned to work on roads in the vicinity of Sommauthe.
                                                       - 13 -

     The First Battalion was assigned the following circuit: Harricourt-
Sommauthe-St. Pierremont-Harricourt.  The 2nd Battalion was assigned to
work on Sommauthe-Beaumont Road, Sommauthe-Harricourt Road and Sommauthe
-La Besace Road.  The Sommauthe-Beaumont road wa in particularly bad
shape and the problem of keeping traffic moving over it was difficult.
Some assistance was finally obtained from artillery tractors however, and
by hard work day and night, conditions were gradually improved.
By November 7th the whole regiment had moved to the general location
of Sommauthe and was billeted in this town and in the neighboring village
of Vaux.  Occasional enemy shelling was experienced in and about these
towns until November 9th.  During this period many French refugees from the
towns freed by the Americans arrived in Sommauthe.  Most of them were in
a miserable state having plodded through the mud for many hours with little
food and scanty clothing.  A relief headquarters was established in the
church and when as much had been done for the people as was possible under
the circumstances they were evacuated to the rear in such trucks and
ambulances as were available.

     On November 10th the regiment was reassigned to the 80th Division,
and on November 11th, left the lines and marched (18 kilo) to the village
of Le Morte Homme where it remained for the night.  On arrival at Le Morte
Homme the rumor that the Armistice had been signed was confirmed and there
was general rejoicing and congratulation throughout the regiment.  An
impromptu concert was arranged for the afternoon, and in the evening there
was such a display of lights, bonfires and “very lights” as France had not
seen for over four years.

     On November 12th the regiment moved (16 kilo.) Chatel Cheherry and
on November 13th from Chatel Cheherry to the old location at Camp Monhoven
in the woods near Le Claon (20 kilo.)   The weather continued clear and cool
and several companies slept in pup tents, but later found more comfortable
quarters in the French barracks.  Lieut. Allcroft of Company “B” returned
from the hospital on this day.

     Inspection and muster was held on November 15th.  1st Lieut. Murphy,
Regimental Dental Surgeon, left for the hospital.  1st Lieut. Chesley of
Headquarters Detachment received orders to return to the United States.
Sergeants Richards, Kelly, Scollon and Sergeant Major Winter returned from
the hospital.

     On November 16th leave passes were granted to officers and enlisted
men of the regiment and a detachment left for the Aix-les-Bains leave area.

     On November 18th the regiment broke camp at Monhoven and started the
long march to the Chatillon Area.  The first days march was to Passavant,
a distance of 17 kilos.  The march was taken up the next day and continued
according to the following schedule:
   November 19th, Passavant to Sommeilles, 16 kilometers.
   November 20th, Sommeilles to Sermaize-les-Bains and Alliancelles, 17 Kilos.
   November 21st, Rested.
   November 22nd, Sermaize to Villers-in-Lieu, 19 Kilometers.
   November 23rd, Villers-in Lieu to Voillecomte. 19 Kilometers.
   November 24th, Rested.
   November 25th, Voillecomte to Sommevoire, 18 Kilometers.
   November 26th, Sommevoire to Lavigny, 20 Kilometers.
   November 27th, Levigny to Nuisement, 20 Kilometers.
   November 28th, Nuisement to Gye-sur-Seine, 28 Kilometers.
   November 29th, Gye-sur-Seine to Rugny, 30 Kilometers.
   November 30th, Rugny to Aisy-sur-Armancon, 35 Kilometers.
   Total distance covered, Sommauthe to Aisy, 293 Kilometers.
                                                       - 14 -

     The regiment made an excellent showing on the march, good road
discipline being maintained and few men dropping out.  The rather
difficult problem of billeting the men each night in the small towns
through which the regiment passed was successfully accomplished by
Captain Samuel H. Sherrerd and Interpreter Ferdinand Gely.  Unusually
favorable weather for the season was experienced up to November 27th
when three days of rain added to the discomfort of the march.  Upon
arrival at Aisy arrangements for a permanent stay were begun.  The
detachment which had been on leave was awaiting the regiment at Aisy.
The 2nd Battalion was billeted in Etivey about 8 kilometers from
Aisy and the Engineer Train in Perrigny about 3 kilometers away.
The sojourn in this location was but short lived however for on
December 3rd orders were received to move without delay to another
location.  The march began at 9:00 A.M. December 4th and the night
of that same day the regiment was located as follows, where we
remained throughout the winter:

 Regimental Headquarters  )
 Headquarters Detachment )
 Band                                  )       Fulvy.
 1st Battalion                      )
 Engineer Train                  )

 2nd Battalion                    )       Chassignelles.

     The roads throughout the entire Divisional Area were put in charge
of the Engineers and work commenced the latter part of December to keep
them open under the heavy traffic.  The road work was our main job but
in spite of the extensive amount of roads to be maintained there were
many other engineering duties to be done and which were done well.

     On March 9th the 2nd Battalion moved to the Le Mans Area for
construction work – the 1st Battalion spreading out to handle the road
work which had been carried on by the 2nd Battalion.  On March 20th
the Division came under the Command of the C.G.,S.O.S., and we were
soldiers no longer.  The song which was heard throughout the division
was, “Mother take in your Service Flag your son’s in the S.O.S.”

     On March 29th the Division began its move to the Le Mans Area.
The movement being completed, with the exception of the Headquarters,
Train, and 1st Battalion of this regiment, and several detachments,
left behind to finish up the Engineering work throughout the area;
about April 4th.
     At present writing we are still located in Fulvy and expect
orders in the near future to rejoin our Division at the PORT.
 
 
 
 

[end of document]
- Transcribed by Bob Gardner, January 3, 2002

Eightieth Division (National Army)
Known as the "Blue Ridge Division." Insignia, a shield outlined in white on a khaki background with three blue mountains superimposed. Organized August 27, 1917 at Camp Lee, Va. The majority of the officers were from New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, and the enlisted men from Western Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The division began leaving Camp Lee on May 17, 1918, and was embarked at Newport News for France. Its principal points of entry werre St. Nazaire, Bordeaux, and Brest. The assembly point of the division was Calais, from which place it departed early in June for the Samur training area, with the British. The artillery was not trained in this area but rejoined the division September 13th. The last units of the division arrived in France June 19, 1918.
Division left Samur training area on July 4th, for Third British Army sector, where it arrived July 5th. All units trained with the British in the Artois sector; while in this sector the troops were attached to the British and were on active duty. On August 18th the units of the division proceeded by rail to the forteenth training area. On Sept. 1st it moved to the Stainville and late to Tronville area as reserve during the St. Mihiel operation. During this time one infantry regiment and one machine gun battalion were serving with the French, taking part in active operations. Commencing Sept. 14th, the division moved into the Argonne and began its preparations for the offensive in that region. On September 16th, in conjunction with other American divisions, it attacked at Bethincourt, advancing a distance of nine kilometers in two days. On Sept. 29th it was relieved and assembled in the vicinity of Ouisy, where on Oct. 4th it again attacked, and over difficult ground attained a distance of four kilometers in nine days. On Oct. 12th the division was again relieved and proceeded by march and bus to the Thiaucourt area where it was re-equipped. On Oct. 29th, making preparations for the resumption of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. The division, on Oct. 29th, entered the line St. Georges-St. Juvin and on Nov. 1st made an attack on that line, penetrating in the next five days a distance of twenty-four kilometers, being relieved the morning of November 6th. Upon relief it proceeded by marching to the Buzancy and Champ Mahaut areas. On the 18th of Nov. The division proceeded by march to the fifteenth training area, completing the march Dec. 1st.
The 155th F.A. Brigade after its relief from duty with the 80th Division, remained in the Cunel sector, serving successively with American divisions in that sector. It was in actor for forty-eight consecutive fighting days. It proceeded by rail from Dun-sur-Meuse to the 15th training aarea, arriving Dec. 4th to 7th.
Battle deaths, 1,141; wounded 5,622; prisoners 101. Distinguished Service Crosses awarded 42.
Maj. Gen. Adelbert Cronkhite, U.S. Army, commanded the division from Sept. 9, 1917.
The following units composed the division: 159th and 160th Inf. Brigs., 317th, 318th, 319th, 320th Inf. Regts., 314th, 315th M.G. Bns., 155th Art. Brig., 313th, 314th, 315th Arty. Regts. 305th Trench Mortar Battery, 313 Div. Machine Gun Bn., 305th Engr. Regt and Train, 305th Fld Sig. Bn., 305th Train Hqs., and M.P., 305th Supply Train, 205th Amm. Train, 305th Sanitary Train (317th, 318th, 319th, 320th Amb. Cos. And Field Hospitals.)

Some of these capsule histories were taken from Richard J. Beamish and Francis A. March's America's Part in the World War, no publisher, no place, copyright 1919 (now expired).